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Panellist

Christopher Pyne

Shadow Minister for education

Christopher Pyne was 25 when he entered Parliament as the Liberal member for Sturt, in the eastern suburbs of Adelaide, in 1993.

Christopher was born and raised in Adelaide and graduated in law from Adelaide University.

He became active in politics as a teenager and played a prominent role in the South Australian Liberal Party, as president of the Young Liberals and as a member of the State Executive.

Factionally aligned with the moderate wing of the party and known as a supporter of former Treasurer Peter Costello, his opportunities for advancement under John Howard's leadership were limited. It was not until March 2007, eight months before the Howard government lost office, that hewas promoted to the front bench as Minister for Ageing.

Following the 2007 election Christopher was runner-up in the contest for Liberal deputy leader and was given the portfolio of shadow minister for justice, border protection and assisting the shadow minister for immigration and citizenship. After Malcolm Turnbull took over the party leadership in 2008 he was promoted to shadow education minister and in February 2009 was given a strategically crucial role as Manager of Opposition Business in Parliament. He has retained these positions under Tony Abbott's leadership.

Since 2003 Chris Pyne has been Patron of the Labrador Retriever Club of South Australia.

Christopher is married to Carolyn and they have four children, Eleanor, Barnaby, Felix and Aurelia.